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MTP Cables

MTP Cables

MTP FiberShield Specifications

OptoSpan MTP cables use a higher-performing MPO connector – known as the MTP® connector – which is made by US Conec®, a company based in Hickory, NC. This improved optical connector reduces the amount of insertion loss when mating with fiber optic networking equipment, and this enables high-density implementation of newer high-speed LAN and data center applications. Using MTP patch cables provides over 12 times the fiber density in the same footprint as the LC or SC cables.

These high-performance OptoSpan FiberShield MTP cables offer enhanced precision due to the new spring design, increased reliability due to the elliptical guide pins, and significant performance improvements to the proprietary floating ferrule design, over the standard MPO connectors. Because of these enhancements, higher data rates are achievable across complex networks.


The “MTP Elite” version of these cables is available with even more reduced insertion loss, compared with standard MTP fiber optic cables.

Are MTP cables compatible with the standard MPO cables?

OptoSpan’s MTP fiber optic assemblies are 100% compatible with all standard MPO cables. Our MTP cables are compliant with the same U.S. and international standards that apply to the standard MPO cables.

OptoSpan’s MTP cables are the industry's strongest!

FiberShield MTP Fiber Optic Cables: OptoSpan’s 8-, 12-, and 24-fiber standard MTP assemblies feature exclusive 5x stronger FiberShield technology, with 3x more PVC and DuPont Kevlar than that of MTP fiber optic cable assemblies offered by competitors. These MTP cables are 4.5mm or 3.0mm thick, protecting them against accidental damage which is normally associated with installations.

MTP Fiber Cables

MTP Fiber Cables

Plenum MTP Trunk

Plenum MTP Trunk

QSFP Breakout Cables

QSFP Breakout Cables

Plenum MTP-LC Breakout

Plenum MTP-LC Breakout

Do you need help choosing the correct MTP patch cords for your application? SanSpot’s MTP network engineers can evaluate your unique situation and recommend a complimentary cable configuration that is suitable for your needs. Please contact us toll-free at 1-800-720-3860, or you can email [email protected].

SteelPatch Armored MTP Cables: OptoSpan SteelPatch Armored MTP cables feature a specialized jacket constructed from steel, which is molded into a helical shape to shield the internal fibers. This process allows SteelPatch armor to increase the cable strength by 7x, while still remaining fully flexible and lightweight.

SteelFlex Armored MTP Cables (Special Order): These top-of-the-line military-grade OptoSpan SteelFlex Armored MTP fiber optic cables feature an exclusive OptoLock mechanism comprised of a steel tube, which is locked into position by overlapping links. This composition results in an unmatched rugged but lightweight cable that provides maximum flexibility, which is suitable for harsh environments and industrial applications. All SteelFlex Armored MPO cables are also available as SteelFlex Armored MTP cables.

Weatherproof (IP68) MTP Cables (Special Order): OptoSpan’s IP68-rated Weatherproof MTP cable assemblies provide extreme protection against water, dust, and harsh weather conditions. Using a simple bayonet locking system, IP68 MTP assemblies are designed to protect the optical fibers, without requiring specialized tools for assembly. All the IP68 Weatherproof MPO cables are also available as IP68 Weatherproof MTP fiber optic assemblies.

How do you choose the right MTP cable for your application?

Choosing the correct cable depends on many key factors – such as type of network optics, fiber count, cable polarity, type of MTP connectors, and fiber media type (single-mode or multimode). If you’re not sure, or if you need help, please call us before placing an order!

Need Help? Get Answers from an MTP/MPO Experts

MTP Cable Designs:

MTP Patch Cord Polarity:

The transmit signal (Tx) at one end of the cable must match the associated receiver (Rx) at the other end for fiber links to deliver data successfully. When dealing with multi-fiber components such as MTP, the aim of the polarity scheme is to ensure that this continuous connection is maintained. Industry standards call for three different MTP polarity methods: Method A, Method B, and Method C.

Method A MTP patch cords employ Type A straight-through MTP connectors with a key up connector on one end and a key down connector on the other, ensuring that the fiber in Position 1 ends up in Position 1. On one end of the link, a patch cord flipping the transceiver-receiver is essential when employing Method A for duplex applications.

Method B MTP patch cords employ key up connectors on both ends, so that the fiber in Position 1 arrives at Position 12 at the opposite end, the fiber in Position 2 arrives at Position 11 at the opposite end, and so on. Method B uses straight A-B patch cords on both ends for duplex applications.

Method C MTP patch cords employ a key up connector on one end and a key down connector on the other, but the flip occurs within the cable itself, with each pair of fibers being flipped so that the fiber in Position 1 arrives at Position 2 at the opposite end and the fiber in Position 2 arrives at Position 1. While this approach works well for duplex applications, it is not recommended because it does not allow parallel 8-fiber 40 and 100 Gigabit workloads.

MTP Connectors:

Each MTP cable configuration must specify a type and gender of the MTP connectors. Most popular MTP connectors have 8, 12, 16, or 24 pins. For example, 12-fiber MTP cable assemblies are generally used for 10G or 40G applications, while 8-fiber and 24-fiber MTP cable assemblies are used for 100G applications. There are also newer kinds of 16 and 32 MTP connectors available for 400G and 800G applications.

To achieve ideal alignment with other MTP cables and equipment, MTP connectors utilize two alignment pins on one connector and two holes on the opposite connector. These are also referred to as “male” (with pins) and “female” (without pins) genders.

MTP Cable Configurations

OptoSpan offers three basic types of MTP fiber optic cable assemblies:

What are MTP cables typically used for?

MTP cables are used in data centers and telcos for quickly creating high-speed interconnections, including the following:

Quality and Engineering Excellence

By utilizing our proprietary manufacturing process developed over 15 years of experience, we are able to produce higher performance products using the same components, hence lowering the cost to our clients. OptoSpan cables are made in a Class 10,000 (ISO14644-1, ISO7) clean room facility, which eliminates the potential of end face contamination.

Rohs Compliant

Quality Management Systems

  • ISO 9001: 2008
  • TL9000 (Ver. 5)

Standards Compliance

  • Telcordia GR-326 Core
  • TIA-604-18: FOCIS 18
  • IEC 61754-7-3:2019

OptoSpan fiber optic cables are RoHS compliant.

Cleaning and Testing MTP Cables

MTP Connectors, like any other fiber end-face, should be cleaned before each installation. Cleaning the MTP Connectors might be considerably more difficult due to their higher surface area. It is considerably easier to transport impurities from one fiber to another within the same array when cleaning these bigger surface surfaces.

OptoSpan recommends cleaning MTP patch cords before each insertion using these simple MPO cable cleaners.

For troubleshooting MTP cable connections (fiber breaks or defects) during installation, or for identifying faults during general use, OptoSpan offers a simple MPO fiber tester.

MTP® and MTP Elite® are registered trademarks of US Conec®. Each OptoSpan MTP Cable uses US Conec® MTP fiber connectors.


You might be interested in the following MTP Cables related products.

Are you looking for custom-designed and purpose-built MTP cables? Visit our section on Custom MTP fiber optic cables...
Do you require MTP patch panels that are compatible with MTP assemblies? Visit our MTP Patch Panels...
Have you seen our industry leading MPO Cables? Our MPO Cables...
Do you require the strongest MTP fiber optic cables available in the industry? Visit our Armored MTP Cables section for more information...
For the highest performance MTP Cables, go to this link... MTP Elite Cables
If you prefer to use LC-LC breakout cables... Visit our Section on Breakout Fiber Cables...
Need IP68 (Weatherproof) and additional MTP Cable options? Visit our section on Specialty Fiber Optic Cables...

US Conec® owns the registered trademarks MTP® and MTP Elite®. Each OptoSpan MTP to MTP Cable is equipped with MTP fiber connectors manufactured by US Conec®.